Short answer. Most employers. Exempt: an employer with five or fewer employees who are all related to the employer by blood or marriage.
At a glance
- Who must carry it
- Most employers. Exempt: an employer with five or fewer employees who are all related to the employer by blood or marriage.
- Agriculture
- Agricultural or horticultural workers of an employer with less than $100,000 in payroll are exempt.
- Owners and officers
- Sole proprietors aren't employees and needn't cover themselves but may elect to; LLC members owning at least 10% and stockholder-employees owning at least 10% likewise.
- Independent contractors
- Independent contractors aren't employees; status is judged on the totality of circumstances.
- Self-insurance
- Allowed with the commission's approval.
- Going without
- Penalties of up to $1,000 per day.
- Workplace notice
- The guide says every employer should post CC-Form-1A where employees can see it.
- Agency
- Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Commission
In the agency's words
The rule
"In Oklahoma, most employers must provide coverage to their employees with workers' compensation coverage."
Agriculture
"agricultural or horticultural workers employed by an employer with less than $100,000 in payroll"
Owners
"Sole proprietors are not "employees", and are therefore not obligated to secure compensation on themselves."
Contractors
"Independent contractors are not employees under Oklahoma workers' compensation law."
Going without
"may be subject to penalties up to one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) PER DAY."
Notice
"Every employer should post the CC-Form-1A in a conspicuous place on the premises of the business"
Three example businesses
What the stated rule says for three common setups:
- 2 employees, most businesses (not construction), llc: Required for most employers. See why
- 4 employees, construction, corporation: Required for most employers. See why
- 6 employees, most businesses (not construction), sole proprietor: Required for most employers. See why
Your own numbers: open the checker for Oklahoma.
Worth knowing
The commission's employer guide says it is based on the laws and rules in effect in 2015.
Not stated on the pages we read: how to check an employer's coverage.
Official sources
- Guide for Employers (Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Commission) (checked November 2026)
General information, not legal or insurance advice; we are not lawyers or insurance agents. Rules as published on the pages above, checked November 2026. We don't recommend or sell any insurer; the agency or a licensed agent can say how a rule applies to your business.
Common questions
Who has to carry workers' comp in Oklahoma?
Most employers. Exempt: an employer with five or fewer employees who are all related to the employer by blood or marriage. The agency puts it as "In Oklahoma, most employers must provide coverage to their employees with workers' compensation coverage."
Do owners and officers need coverage in Oklahoma?
Sole proprietors aren't employees and needn't cover themselves but may elect to; LLC members owning at least 10% and stockholder-employees owning at least 10% likewise.
What about independent contractors in Oklahoma?
Independent contractors aren't employees; status is judged on the totality of circumstances.
What happens to a Oklahoma employer with no coverage?
Penalties of up to $1,000 per day.
What notice must a Oklahoma employer post?
The guide says every employer should post CC-Form-1A where employees can see it.
Can an employer self-insure in Oklahoma?
Allowed with the commission's approval.
All states: workers' comp requirements by state · New York · Pennsylvania